How to Make a Cat Like You: Tip #24

Opie Taylor Playing with the string

I recently stumbled upon a book called "97 Ways to Make a Cat Like You." Tip #24 suggests to tie a string to your pants and encourage your cat to chase it as you walk around your house.

While trying to both clean a cage and play with a cat I decided to try this, and it worked! A few times as I walked around I had to dangle the toy in front of some cats to encourage them to follow me, but other times they would follow me on their own. Opie Taylor was particularly fond of this game.

Which brings me back to Opie Taylor. He was in the shelter several months ago, but after a few weeks of being sick he vanished from the shelter. I was concerned, but heard no word of him. I was thrilled to see him back at the shelter on Monday, and seemingly healthy and happy.

Opie Taylor looking for attention as I cleaned Queen's cage. (Queen also wanted attention)

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Queen was confined to her cage, but all she wanted was snuggles.

Lionel (who is pending adoption) relaxing by the window, listening to the downpour.

Sweet and quiet Tortilla watched on as I played with Tuckerman and Mickey.

Tuckerman was feeling especially brave and affectionate.

Van Gogh gazing out at the rainy day.

What About the Older Cats?

Victor

Last week Victor growled and hissed and wouldn't let anyone get near him before jumping to an out-of-reach space in his cage. He eventually trusted me enough to pet him, but was still cautious. This week, Victor meowed at every human and cat, but this wasn't any "I'm, scared, what's going on" meow. This was a "Hey! Hey! Hey! Notice me!" meow. He was a little restless, but every time I reached in to pet him, he was happy enough to let me- or anyone for that matter- pet him. The way he improved so much in just one week would have me think that he'll be adopted quite soon. My concern is this- Victor is ten years old. He's significantly less desirable than the 1-2 year olds that dart back and forth across the floor with years and years ahead of them. Hopefully someone will come along and prove me wrong.

I found out today that Sadey has been here since 2009. She's older than most of the shelter cats, and pretty shy. I have no doubt that she'd relax if given the chance to live in a home- one with a large window to watch birds and plenty of spaces to nap.

Highlights from my Monday shift include meeting Tabasco, who greatly resembles Garfield, spending quality time cleaning the Feline Leukemia room, watching the cats drink out of the water pitcher, and finally, some time with Mickey and Tuckerman at the end. I was in that front, corner room just minutes before I had to leave. Another volunteer was in there for a little bit, but left. Seconds after she was gone I felt Mickey rub against my leg. I knelt down and he flopped over to stetch out and let me pet his belly. Moments later shy Tuckerman approached me and rubbed against me, resting his head on my arm. It was a very comforting way to end my shift.

The water pitcher was more appealing than the water bowls.

Tabasco- who looks like he climbed straight out of a comic strip.

Dainty and her security blanket

Monte in his hiding place.

A note about the shy ones

Last Friday I visited the shelter for some much needed cuddling and playing. There were a handful of new cats, so that on Monday when I came in for my shift, I felt like I had been given a sneak peek as to what was in store. I arrived early, but those precious minutes flew by, and I didn't get to say hello to every cat I wanted before I had to get to work.

Marieka

"What are yoouuu doing down there?" ~Fortissimo

Young Meiko wasn't very good at posing for photos.

We were short staffed again, so not much time for extra playing. I usually visit Mickey, Grayson, and Tuckerman first, and I regret not being proactive and seeing them before starting to clean. By the time I peeked my head in after 8pm, they were all tuckered out and not in the mood to say hi.

It was another crazy busy day, and although not so full of volunteers, it was full to the brim with visitors.

Bailey, a shy and hostile cat, let one of the volunteers pet her for a short while, and even let me pat the top of her head! I was so proud.

Chanterelle is still scared and lashes out, but there's a wooden scratching stick that she loves. When I brandished it she became visibly excited and hopped up to a shelf I could more easily reach.

Chanterelle and her scratching stick

Victor, a cat that was adopted in 2012, but recently returned because his owner developed allergies, was clearly unhappy. He wailed and hissed, and wouldn't let anyone pet him. The sadness and confusion in his eyes broke my heart.

Victor in his cage

I was attempting to clean his cage when the medic brought the food around. So I slipped the bowl into the cage and taking a chance softly stroked his fuzzy head. He didn't seem to mind, and let me pet him the entire time he ate.

A little while later the medic was back, trying to coax him out from the corner to give him an injection. He wasn't having any of it. Eventually I walked over and placed my hands in his cage, encouraging him to come over. It didn't take much for him to stalk over and rub his head against my hands. He flopped over and let me pet him until he was calm enough for the medic to give him an injection. But I'm telling you- being returned through no fault of his, and having to get injections- it's no wonder he was a grumpy cat.

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I was saddened to hear of the loss of Brioche, one of the cats at the shelter, end of last week. He had been struggling with several illnesses and yet seemed to be on the upswing. I had been excited to track his progress and was shocked by the news of his death. Rest in peace, Brioche.

Brioche (facing away) snuggling with Annabelle (left)

Cuddly Cats

Big-eyed Royal

Most of the cats were in cuddly moods last Monday night. I spent a lot of the time before cleaning visiting the handful of new cats sprinkled throughout the building. Both Ally Oop and Royal didn't want to be picked up, but both rubbed and rubbed against my arms as I petted them. Mr. Bean was especially snuggly as well. I very much appreciated his attention, as he's the softest cat I've ever met.

The oh-so-soft Mr. Bean

Hamish wonders why I'm not petting him.

After many weeks of cleaning in the back I was finally up in the front again. I cleaned a small side room, and the large, front room. Two cats were in cages- Hamish, and Poppet. I was disappointed to see Poppet caged up, as he has spent most of his time here roaming free in the back room. Hamish was being excessively friendly as I cleaned his cage. At one point he lunged out of the cage, and I was afraid he was  going to dart out of the room. Instead, he leapt gracefully into my arms. There he stayed for nearly ten minutes, purring away, arms relaxed. Well, of course I couldn't keep cleaning until he became bored. So I waited. And waited. After nearly ten minutes he suddenly started to yowl, and then growl. He leapt back into his cage, looking at me suspiciously. He did this the rest of the night, alternating between being incredibly sweet, and very hostile. He leapt into my arms once more before the shift ended, but this time I tucked him back in his cage before his mood changed back.

We had some extra time at the end to visit and cuddle with more cats. But of course, it's never long enough!

"I'll pose nicely for your picture, but then you have to pet me." ~Gonzo

Eagle, Calloway, and Chi Chi. The photo is very representative of all three.

I don't remember this cat's name, but all she wanted was for her fluffy belly to be rubbed.